The Importance of Sound Doctrine :: 7/31/16 AM

The Importance of Sound Doctrine

2 Timothy 4:3  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

Titus 2:1 But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:

Intro: We live in a day where theologians and the religious leaders are doing their best to minimize the importance of sound doctrine.

·         "If Error be harmless, then Truth must needs be useless." - Baptist pastor, Abraham Booth - 1734-1806

·         A.W. Tozier - Haziness of doctrine has always been the mark of the liberal. When the Holy Scriptures are rejected as the final authority on religious belief something must be found to take their place. Historically that something has been either reason or sentiment: if sentiment, it has been humanism. Sometimes there has been an admixture of the two, as may be seen in liberal churches today. These will not quite give up the Bible, neither will they quite believe it; the result is an unclear body of beliefs more like a fog than a mountain, where anything may be true but nothing may be trusted as being certainly true.

There are several kinds of doctrines found in the Bible.

                A. Strange Doctrines

·         Hebrews 13:9  Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines.

This refers to doctrines with no biblical basis at all.

Doctrine like purgatory, infant baptism, Satan and Jesus being brothers (Mormons), soul-sleep (Jehovah’s Witnesses),

being slain in the Spirit, (Charismatics), etc.

                B. Satanic Doctrines

·         I Tim. 4:1-4 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;  Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;  Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.

EXAMPLE: The Catholic church forbids its priests to marry.  This is both Satanic and strange.

The Bible says that a man that findeth a wife, findeth a good thing.

Furthermore, the Bible clearly condemns those that forbid to marry.

OTHER STRANGE AND SATANIC DOCTRINES:      

The doctrine of Transubstantiation – where they believe the bread and juice at Communion becomes the body/blood of Christ.

                C. Sound Doctrine

·         Titus 2:1 But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:

I. The Power of Sound Doctrine

                A. It is Absolute

·         John 7:14-17 Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught. And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?  Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.  If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.

                B. It is Astonishing

·         Matthew 7:28  And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:

·         Acts 13:12  Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.

                C. It is Authoritative

·         Mark 1:22  And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.

II. The Parameters of Sound Doctrine

                A. Bible – not tradition

·         Mark 7:8  For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.

·         Mark 7:13  Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.

·         Colossians 2:8  Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

                B. Bible – not philosophy

·         Colossians 2:8  Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

C. Bible – not popularity

·         2 Timothy 4:3  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

III. The Priority of Sound Doctrine

·         1 Timothy 5:17  Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.

·         Ephesians 4:14  That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

·         1 Timothy 1:3  As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,

·         2 Timothy 4:2  Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

·         2 John 1:9  Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.

·         1 Timothy 4:13  Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

·         1 Timothy 4:16  Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.